E3 2013: DayZ's Major Standalone Improvements Detailed

July 21, 2013

Just a mod no longer.

Bohemia Interactive is determined to make the standalone release of DayZ much more than just a cash-in on the hit Arma mod. By the time it’s finally released (“when it’s done,” the studio insists), virtually every aspect of this open-world zombie survival experience should be improved in at least one major way.

The menu and inventory systems have much more of an RPG flavor to them. Found items can be crafted and combined via a new crafting system. Players can also equip clothes to customize their appearance and to improve their armor and other resistance attributes. The massive game world’s map now comes in several pieces that have to be discovered and combined to reveal more of the game world.
Speaking of DayZ’s zombie-filled world –the standalone release features much more of it. The map extends around 20% farther North and West, adding quite a bit more late-game content for players to discover, including new features like a prison complex and massive dam structure. The existing DayZ map regions aren’t receiving a significant overhaul, but there’s still plenty of new surprises for returning players to discover. Major urban areas feature new suburbs, with apartment buildings and other structures to explore. Around 90% of DayZ’s buildings can now be entered and explored, with loot actually spawning on shelves and other context-appropriate locations, instead of simply appearing in the middle of the room.
Gamers will need all the loot they can get, too. DayZ’s revised zombies are more aggressive, faster, and are just an all-around greater threat. Players can’t B-line it away from danger anymore. Zombies will jump at the back of running players, causing them to stumble or fall. Any undead threats players confront will have to be dealt with directly, or at least evaded in more creative ways than just running in a straight line.
Although not as notable as massive new map areas or complex crafting systems, various smaller tweaks and improvements are also included. Weapons and items can be slotted in players’ 1-9 hotkeys for quick access. Equippable clothing ups carry capacity. Weapons can be tweaked with attachments like special scopes or silencers. An illness system gives players yet another concern to consider.

Bohemia is also happy to talk about their post-release plans for DayZ, even though the standalone client is still in closed alpha testing. Post-launch plans include the introduction of an entire suite of vehicles, including boats that will open up access to new explorable islands.
Finally, on the technical side, DayZ is moving from a client-side to server-side architecture. Although it still might be possible for griefers to wreak havoc on innocent players, the change should significantly cut down on the amount of exploits players have discovered.